Many different habitats exist on farmed land. These habitats differ in the resources they offer wildlife and there is substantial opportunity to improve their value through sympathetic management. Different habitats not only provide resources for a wider variety of species, but they can also help provide the variety of resources a single species requires throughout its lifespan.

For example, insect pollinators may forage on blossoming hedgerows in spring, moving to flower-rich field margins in the summer, always returning to their nesting site in tussocky undisturbed field margins between foraging visits. In the UK, populations of economically important pollinators have declined and plummeting populations pose a threat to food security. Pollinators face a number of pressures including climate change, agricultural intensification and the loss of flower-rich semi-natural habitats.  Farmers can play an important part in helping to reverse pollinator declines by providing vital food and habitat resources.

We can think of habitats like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, all interconnecting and working together in a specific way to provide the full picture of a farmland thriving with biodiversity.

When thinking about habitat and landscape management on farmed land, there are four key areas  to consider:

• Habitats For Beneficial Insects
• Hedgerow Management
• Protecting Peatlands
• Muirburn

We have included key information about each topic in the pages linked below. In them you will find advice and support to get you started, as well as links to further related resources such as podcasts, videos, and publications.

We have also created a guide on useful online apps and tools that can help you assess habitats on your farm. Click here to read our guide.